engine break in
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 302
Likes: 0
From: Delran
engine break in
I read this a few weeks ago and thought B.S. http://www.mototuneusa.com/break_in_secrets.htm
Then I saw it pop up a few more times. And today I saw Nate post it on the thread of s2kray's engine rebuild. So I decided to run it by the motorheads in the Porsche forum. What they had to say really surprized me.
Well I have always heard. "Break it in the way you want it to run" I guess this guy is saying about the same thing. I mean it makes sense. Have you ever known a racing engine to have a "break in" period? Granted we are talking about performance VS longevity, but my primary issue is performance. Who wants a crappy motor to last forever? Drive it like you stole it!
I know I'll get flamed on this, but this is what I did. Broke it in by running it hard. My best friend helped me build my motor. He builds almost everything. Kind of a super mechanic. His way of breaking in a motor is get in it, drive it around and make sure it's running well, adjust it, and run the piss out of it. We did this to my 911 with less than 500 miles on it. Still going strong. His way of looking at is that it will "let loose" if built wrong-Duh! But better to find out early then later. Is this the right way of doing it? probably not in some cases. But my friend has built way over 700 motors-maybe more, and it works for him.
Way before even reading the thread I broke-in my 911 re-build in by constantly loading the rings for over 750mi. An ocassional blast, but usually always rocking the car by flooring it then letting up the pedal in 3rd gear max for the 1st 100mi, then the latter 650mi in 4th on the hy between 3k and 4-4.5k. Completely boring to constantly have the car rocking. I was good for about a 75mi round trip from home before running away from it.
I would have to agree with the article. I had read it and was really wondering what to do with my engine that was being built for me. I really never had to make the decision. After the guys at Supertec built and installed my 3.0 engine, Henry, the owner, warmed it up to normal temp while adjusting the CIS, dropped it off the lift and said "get in." He proceeded to pop the clutch and do a huge burnout. Drove me around for a while going through the gears at redline or better and usually sideways. Fastest I had ever been in a Porsche or any car for that matter! Scared the hell out of me. He is an amazing driver! We went back to his shop, he checked the oil and cis adj and then gave me the keys. Told me to drive an hour changing a lot of gears and keeping the engine revved (run it pretty hard)...turn it off and have lunch for about and hour and do the same coming back. I took off the top and enjoyed the beautiful CA day with my new toy. When I got back, he said it was pretty much broken in.
These guys daily drive and race these cars and have not complained about reliability either.
Then I saw it pop up a few more times. And today I saw Nate post it on the thread of s2kray's engine rebuild. So I decided to run it by the motorheads in the Porsche forum. What they had to say really surprized me.
Well I have always heard. "Break it in the way you want it to run" I guess this guy is saying about the same thing. I mean it makes sense. Have you ever known a racing engine to have a "break in" period? Granted we are talking about performance VS longevity, but my primary issue is performance. Who wants a crappy motor to last forever? Drive it like you stole it!
I know I'll get flamed on this, but this is what I did. Broke it in by running it hard. My best friend helped me build my motor. He builds almost everything. Kind of a super mechanic. His way of breaking in a motor is get in it, drive it around and make sure it's running well, adjust it, and run the piss out of it. We did this to my 911 with less than 500 miles on it. Still going strong. His way of looking at is that it will "let loose" if built wrong-Duh! But better to find out early then later. Is this the right way of doing it? probably not in some cases. But my friend has built way over 700 motors-maybe more, and it works for him.
Way before even reading the thread I broke-in my 911 re-build in by constantly loading the rings for over 750mi. An ocassional blast, but usually always rocking the car by flooring it then letting up the pedal in 3rd gear max for the 1st 100mi, then the latter 650mi in 4th on the hy between 3k and 4-4.5k. Completely boring to constantly have the car rocking. I was good for about a 75mi round trip from home before running away from it.
I would have to agree with the article. I had read it and was really wondering what to do with my engine that was being built for me. I really never had to make the decision. After the guys at Supertec built and installed my 3.0 engine, Henry, the owner, warmed it up to normal temp while adjusting the CIS, dropped it off the lift and said "get in." He proceeded to pop the clutch and do a huge burnout. Drove me around for a while going through the gears at redline or better and usually sideways. Fastest I had ever been in a Porsche or any car for that matter! Scared the hell out of me. He is an amazing driver! We went back to his shop, he checked the oil and cis adj and then gave me the keys. Told me to drive an hour changing a lot of gears and keeping the engine revved (run it pretty hard)...turn it off and have lunch for about and hour and do the same coming back. I took off the top and enjoyed the beautiful CA day with my new toy. When I got back, he said it was pretty much broken in.
These guys daily drive and race these cars and have not complained about reliability either.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Kimberton
When I rebuilt my engine and spent alot of money, I was very skepticle of this theory as well. So I got on the horn and called a few of my friends who are skilled engine builders and mechanics, including Suzuka Tim and asked what their feelings were on this subject matter. This is what they said.
Back when cars werent made as reliable as now, there was a need for a break in period allowing the rings to seat and the engine to get used to running. Now a days cars are built to last for a long time (including hondas). Most rings seat within the first 20miles anyway, as long as the tune or stock ecu is good and not too rich or lean.
So then I said should I try this? I cant afford to build another motor. They said that I should drive it like I would any other time. So I decided to follow somewhat the moto theory. Here is what I did to break in my motor:
1a. Forgot to add make sure the motor is at operating temps before doing anything.
1. First 100miles use non detergent SAE30 oil (allows rings to seat properly)
2. Tuned hondata to run a nice 14.7 a/f in partial throttle with my big ass 720cc injectors. You dont want to run really rich with a new motor or you risk washing the cylinder walls, and the rings wont seat.
3. Did constant Vacuum pulls at various RPM's till about 50miles
4. Tuned for low boost 9psi at 67miles (282whp)
5. In and out of boost and driving like I would any other day
6. Change oil frequently I did it about 4 times before a 1000 miles. Switched to 10w 20 oil after 100 miles. You can also cut open the oil filter and look for flakes of metal or other impurities too. This can tell you if there are an serious problems before you start getting crazy with the motor. If the motor has seen atleast 100 miles and no problems, most likely you are cool.
Results:
Cars idle is perfect, even with 720cc injectors
No smoking of any type at idle or startup (and I have sleeves)
Rings seated perfectly around 20-50miles
Conclusion: This is a debatable topic and others might have different opinions, but I am just telling you my experience. I have 2000+ miles on my motor and it See's 14psi (330whp) every now and again and 9psi daily. NO problems. In my opinion this really works.
Back when cars werent made as reliable as now, there was a need for a break in period allowing the rings to seat and the engine to get used to running. Now a days cars are built to last for a long time (including hondas). Most rings seat within the first 20miles anyway, as long as the tune or stock ecu is good and not too rich or lean.
So then I said should I try this? I cant afford to build another motor. They said that I should drive it like I would any other time. So I decided to follow somewhat the moto theory. Here is what I did to break in my motor:
1a. Forgot to add make sure the motor is at operating temps before doing anything.
1. First 100miles use non detergent SAE30 oil (allows rings to seat properly)
2. Tuned hondata to run a nice 14.7 a/f in partial throttle with my big ass 720cc injectors. You dont want to run really rich with a new motor or you risk washing the cylinder walls, and the rings wont seat.
3. Did constant Vacuum pulls at various RPM's till about 50miles
4. Tuned for low boost 9psi at 67miles (282whp)
5. In and out of boost and driving like I would any other day
6. Change oil frequently I did it about 4 times before a 1000 miles. Switched to 10w 20 oil after 100 miles. You can also cut open the oil filter and look for flakes of metal or other impurities too. This can tell you if there are an serious problems before you start getting crazy with the motor. If the motor has seen atleast 100 miles and no problems, most likely you are cool.
Results:
Cars idle is perfect, even with 720cc injectors
No smoking of any type at idle or startup (and I have sleeves)
Rings seated perfectly around 20-50miles
Conclusion: This is a debatable topic and others might have different opinions, but I am just telling you my experience. I have 2000+ miles on my motor and it See's 14psi (330whp) every now and again and 9psi daily. NO problems. In my opinion this really works.
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 9,709
Likes: 1,167
From: Lewes, DE
I may be gun shy after just spending $7500 on a new engine but I am not going to be breaking in this engine in the manner described in these posts. I followed the manufactures recommendations for breaking in my original engine and it ran just fine for 4 years 50k miles. My engine failure had nothing to do with proper break in just simply driver error. I am not a tech guy and although there may be some merit for this type of break in it is definitely not for me.
Registered User
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 257
Likes: 0
From: Kimberton
Originally posted by Blue Liquid
Nate, what are "vacuum pulls"?
Nate, what are "vacuum pulls"?
I can totally see where you are coming from Ray. Its not a breakin for everyone. Thats why I said that this is a debateable topic. If you follow the manufactures breakin instructions the car will do fine as well. This is just a method that will help breakin a motor quicker and give better compression and less blowbye in the long run.
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post